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The Devil, Part 2
In Part 1, we learned who or what the devil is, what he tries to accomplish and how. We also learned how Jesus Christ was God’s solution to the devil and his works. In Part 2, we’ll learn more of his evil, pervasive domain, as well as how to recognize his working and see him defeated at every turn.
Hebrews 2:14,15 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he (speaking of Jesus) also likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
I will ask you…..who has the power of death? Read this verse and tell me, who has the power of death? Satan had Jesus killed, and God, the true God, raised Jesus back to life. Thus are the true God and the false god clearly and plainly revealed. In his unjust death, Jesus exposed the devil for what he is, a liar and a murderer. In the resurrection, the devil was defeated for all time. And we who believe unto Jesus Christ have the same power of this victory over Satan that Jesus has.
II Corinthians 4:3-5 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are perishing; In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
Satan is to be regarded as the god of this world. Actually, here, the word “world” is better translated age. Satan is the god of this period of time. Satan is a deceiver, one who desires to blind us to the truth.
Notice that Paul was dedicated to preaching Christ Jesus the Lord. Because it is fellowship with him we have been churched into (see study What is Fellowship?) He is the one who defeated the one who is our personal adversary, and it is through the power that comes from him that we are able to defeat our personal adversary. We seek Christ, we preach Christ, we live in Christ, we share Christ, we glory in Christ. Not our own abilities, our own efforts, our own shortcomings, failures, sins. We speak and think about, dwell on, share……Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thus sin, which displaced the truth in our lives, is itself displaced by the spirit of the living truth, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Note there is nothing we can do to rid ourselves of sin. If we could, then righteousness would be by the law which deals with our behavior. Sin is displaced by that power which is greater than sin…..the power of God, the wisdom of God…..Jesus Christ !!!
How to recognize Satan:
When you get directions from someone, and those directions are 90% correct, but have one or two errors in them, you end up not being able to (ever) find your way to your intended destination. So it is with Satan’s lies. He gives us a percentage of truth which contains plenty of error, so that we never reach our intended destination.
Think of your own experience. Through the years, we have been taught to “keep an open mind.” So, if there is any truth to something, we have been taught to keep the whole thing as something worthwhile. I am telling you….throw it away! Find the pure, unadulterated, 100% truth of God. If the wisdom you are getting, in your thoughts, your mind, your heart, is not 100% true, then chuck the whole thing and start over!
James 3:14-17 But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly (deals with the flesh), sensual (deals with the senses…..I FEEL such and such, therefore it must be true), devilish (it steals, kills and/or destroys). For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure (no separate agenda…it is what it is), then peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated (you can ask questions of God before you blindly rush to obey), full of mercy (full of not desiring to punish people because of what they’ve done, said, etc.) and good fruits (see Galatians 5:22,23 for the good fruits of the spirit), without partiality (no favorites), and without hypocrisy (putting on a mask to play a part).
If what your thoughts are telling you to do or think do not include every single one of these Godly qualities, then it is not God’s wisdom.
By the way, strife is that impulse to want to make people understand you. Strife uses vocabulary like, “But you just don’t get it….” or “But don’t you see,” or “Ohhhhh (frustratedly), why can’t you understand.” The word strife is also translated debate. I call it the political spirit, because it doesn’t want to understand, it’s not seeking truth, it just wants to win its point, to argue its rightness. It’s closely paired with envy because envy feels like it has lost something, or been stolen from, if it doesn’t get its way.
You have perhaps begun to understand just how pervasive and powerful Satan is. As the god of this age, his influence is everywhere. Don’t think, because you are a Christian and you go to Church and you read your Bible, that Satan will not touch your life.
Ephesians 2:2 Wherein (in trespasses and sins) in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience;
You cannot escape the influence of Satan in this world, in this age. But you can grow and develop in your ability to recognize and defeat him.
His power is absolutely not something you can overcome by your own ability. but……Jesus Christ can! Remember, Christ is the ability of God to do! (see study What is the POWER of God?) As we seek the truth of God in the person of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior, the power of our loving spiritual Father will displace the evil, ineffective, unfruitful, unproductive ways in which we’ve dealt with life, causing us to become effective, fruitful and fulfilled beings. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ for this matchless gift of our Father’s (the only true God) love.
Following is a chart, showing the various natures and characteristics of the devil and how to use the armor of God. This is done by Jan Magiera, whom, many of you know, is a co-founder of this blog, being a well-published Aramaic Biblical scholar!
armorwithnamesofEvil one
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Other related studies:
What is Death and Hell?
The God of Death – Part 1
Does God Kill …. A More Thorough Response
Does God Kill People?
Who put the Tree in the Garden?
The Devil, Our Enemy
Best word for your entry is BOOM!!!!!!!!!! You just dropped a bomb and there’s little pieces of Satan scattered all over the place! What a great thing to be able recognize, defend against, and in doing so defeating the devils attacks.